The Mustang Messenger
2024-2025 Season
A Message from Dr. Di Nicola
Good evening, JLS Mustang Families!
Well, our snow days for now have come to an end with our return to school on Friday, January 10 for our two-hour delay. 😃
I must say that it was really terrific to see everyone again. I walked to my car late on Friday after school feeling very grateful that every one of our Mustangs and staff members whom I encountered throughout the day greeted me with a smile, a hello, and an energy of excitement about 2025. This same sentiment was very observable everywhere at JLS all day long. It is truly inspiring to know that we do have that family-oriented connection where we can be apart from one another for nearly a month and reunite for the same purpose each school day at Simpson! It should make you feel proud too as Mustang family members! 😊
SCHEDULING 2025-2026 is UPON US!
Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, the LCPS Program of Studies will seamlessly integrate into Course Planner, an interactive tool within the SchooLinks platform.
Our current Grade 6 and 7 students will take part in a very special Electives Fair event on Tuesday, January 14 (Grade 6) and Wednesday, January 15 (Grade 7) to learn about the many options they have available for next year as elective course choices. They will hear right from our teachers and many of their peers about the wonderful selections they have available!
While our Grade 6 and 7 students are participating in their Electives Fair, our 8th graders will have a very special visit from Loudoun County HS Captains as part of advisory activities focused on learning more about courses at the high school level, opportunities in which they can become involved, and a great circle discussion/Q & A about Grades 9-12!
All students when not attending the above events on these same dates shall be participating in Semester 1 / Quarter 2 Performance Review and Reflection, Goal-Setting for Quarter 3, and completing the Virginia School Survey of Climate Conditions as part of advisory activities. They will also have interactive class meetings with their deans, house secretary, and school counselor(s) to review expectations at JLS and a positive approach to tackling the final semester of 2024-2025. Lots of outstanding connective options and experiences for our Mustangs as they look back and envision the future successfully!
This edition of the Mustang Messenger provides you with much more specific information regarding our Rising 7th and 8th Grade Curricular and Extracurricular Fair Night set for Wednesday, January 15 and our Rising 6th Grade Curricular and Extracurricular Fair Night on Wednesday, February 12, both occurring from 6 PM - 8 PM. Doors will open at 5:45 PM for all attendees to report intially to the cafeteria space for a smorgasbord of helpful information, including but not limited to our Parent-Teacher Organization, ParentVue/StudentVue, Youth After School Programs, Intramural Sports, Clubs/Organizations at JLS, World Languages and Cultures options, and Family and Community Engagement. These events are intended for parents/guardians only!
We will be sending grade-level specific Mustang Messenger editions early this week that will thoroughly detail the scheduling process for our Rising Grades 6-7-8-9 Course Selection for the 2025-2026 School Season. In the meantime, please feel free to review the LCPS Program of Studies webpage for general information regarding this process. <-- Click here. 😀
THE END of QUARTER 2 / SEMESTER 1 is COMING! - Friday, January 24, 2025
As mentioned in last week's special editions of the Mustang Messenger, the end of Quarter 2 / Semester 1 is in less than a month! Please check in with your Mustang on ParentVue/StudentVue to review current academic performance and any assignments that might be missing or in need of recovery in Schoology. Grade-Level Weekly Academic Updates are set for January 13-17, so you are welcome to check those out as well. Let's be mindful that these can change depending upon inclement weather or potential needs to adjust instruction in general throughout the year. Remember that these updates are posted each and every week in the Mustang Messenger, just a few headings down below my opening message.
SOME FUN EVENTS THIS WEEK!:
- Reading Rodeo!: We love to see our Mustangs READING for fun! Did you know that they can earn Monty Bucks and other special cool incentives by participating in our Reading Rodeo?! Check out the flyer and slides below!
- Monty's Café - January 2025: Our PTO will be returning with Monty's Café this Tuesday, January 14 from 8:00 AM - 8:25 AM in the main entrancy lobby area. We shall have hot chocolate and treats for sale for $2.00 (cash) each, all of which can be enjoyed in our cafeteria before proceeding to ADVISORY for our Electives Fair schedule.
- Roy Rogers Fundraiser: Come out and support the PTO at Roy Rogers on King Street on Tuesday, January 14th! Mention Simpson MS when ordering and the PTO will receive 25% of sales for the night!
- GOLD and BLUE Orchestra Concerts for Grade 6 Musicians: Ms. Kanakry shall shine with our orchestra musicians from Grade 6 at their first ever concert at JLS on Thursday, January 16 - GOLD (6 PM) / BLUE (8 PM)!
As always, we encourage you to make reviewing the Mustang Messenger a regular part of your routine with your Mustang! They receive it in their e-mail when you do and it is posted in their grade-level pages each Monday morning. It is packed with valuable resources, important updates, and key information designed to support the success and growth of our Mustangs throughout the school year. By staying informed through the Mustang Messenger as a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about JLS, you’ll have access to helpful tools, upcoming events, and opportunities to engage with our school community, ensuring that our students have the best possible experience at JL Simpson.
Wishing you all a GLORIOUSLY AWESOME week of sunshine ahead...and we hope to see you soon at Simpson...GO MUSTANGS! WOO HOO! 🐴💙💛
Dr. Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III
Principal
JL Simpson Middle School
Rising 7th & 8th Grade Course Selection Lessons Taking Place All Week
Rising 9th Grade Students Scheduling With LCHS on Thursday & Friday
Monday, January 13 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: B4
Rising 7th & 8th Grade Course Selection Lessons All Week - SSGS Classes
- After School Activities
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. Rehearsals - Cafe - Mr. McGraw, Mr. Thompson
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - All District Chorus Rehearsal - M4 - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - 6th Grade BLUE Orchestra Rehearsal - Auditorium - Ms. Kanakry
Tuesday, January 14 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: Advisory
Rising 7th & 8th Grade Course Selection Lessons All Week - SSGS Classes
- Electives Fair Day Bell Schedule
- Monty's Cafe: 8:00 AM - 8:25 AM - Main Entrance Hallway
- PTO Spirit Night at Roy Rogers (King Street) in Leesburg: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- After School Activities
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. TECH Rehearsals - Cafe - Mr. McGraw, Mr. Thompson
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - 6th Grade BRASS Rehearsal - Auditorium - Mr. Pazanowski
Wednesday, January 15 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: Advisory
Rising 7th & 8th Grade Course Selection Lessons All Week - SSGS Classes
- Rising 7th & 8th Grade Curricular and Extracurricular Fair: 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM
- After School Activities
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. Vocal Rehearsals - M4 - Ms. Hoey
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - 6th Grade GOLD Orchestra Rehearsal - Auditorium - Ms. Kanakry
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - FCA - Aux Gym - Ms. O'Hara
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Empowered Girls Meeting for New Members - B12 - Ms. Herrin/Ashley
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - JLS Principal Student Advisory Committee - Art 1 - Dr. Di Nicola
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mad Scientist Club-Celebration/Awards Sem. 1 - C4 - Ms. Weddle/Song
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Weightlifting Club - Main Gym - Mr. Dunbar
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Lead Mentor and Mentee Meeting - Art 2 - Ms. Barry
Thursday, January 16 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: A4
Rising 7th & 8th Grade Course Selection Lessons All Week - SSGS Classes
- Rising 9th Grade Students Scheduling with LCHS - Civics Classes
- 6th Grade GOLD Orchestra Winter Concert: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- 6th Grade BLUE Orchestra Winter Concert: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- After School Activities
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. Rehearsals - Cafe - Mr. McGraw, Mr. Thompson
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Select Choir Rehearsal - M4 - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Intramural Volleyball Tournament - Mr. Carpenter
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Harry Potter Club - A9 - Ms. Wence
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Video Game Club - C10 - Mr. Peyton
Friday, January 17 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: B2
Rising 7th & 8th Grade Course Selection Lessons All Week - SSGS Classes
- Voices of Strength: Tenors and Basses in Choir to Dominion HS
- After School Activities
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. Vocal Rehearsals - M4 - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
Click here --> JLSMS Grade Level Academic Weekly Update - January 13-17, 2025
HOW CAN I ACCESS THE JLS GRADE-LEVEL ACADEMIC WEEKLY UPDATE NEWSLETTER in MULTIPLE LANGUAGES?
To Translate A Document to a Preferred Language Other Than English:
1. Click on the grade-level newsletter you wish to review.
2. In the top menu, click Tools and then Translate document.
3. Enter a name for the translated document and select a language.
4. Click Translate.
A translated copy of your document will open in a new window. You can also see this copy in your Google Drive.
As we approach the final few weeks of the second quarter of 2024-2025, please take some time to sit with your Mustang and review through Schoology and StudentVue / ParentVue to ensure that all assignments and assessments are completed. If your Mustang has any questions for staff, please ask them to e-mail their teachers or talk with them...as always, we will be here to support to the maximum of level of engagement!
Our students will be participating in the MAP Growth Assessment / Winter Window in all grade levels in January 2025. Details about the rescheduled dates are coming soon!
Please be sure your Mustang's Chromebook is charged FULLY as always!
The MAP Growth Assessment serves as a pre-test in supporting student progress and achievement on their end-of-year Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments. This assessment also allows our educators to review current student performance to design appropriate authentic learning experiences where our learners can apply skills in areas of interest.
The resources linked below in the NWEA MAP Family Tool Kit are helpful in providing more information about the MAP Growth Assessment and its purpose in determing current student performance level in a variety of subjects, namely English and Mathematics in our school division.
If you have any questions about the NWEA MAP Growth Assessment in English / Mathematics, please feel free to connect with your child's teacher or Laura.Bolyard@lcps.org (School-Based Instructional Facilitator), Jennifer.Burns@lcps.org (Instructional Facilitator, Technology) or Sarah.McIntosh@lcps.org (School Testing Coordinator / Assistant Principal).
Please check this section often as we continue to add new activities!
We have been busy planning some amazing after school opportunities for our Mustangs!
Here are our current JLS Clubs/Organizations set for after school on Wednesdays and/or Thursdays.
Please remember that after school activity participation requires permission from parents/guardians!
Please use the link below to complete the PERMISSION CLICK document.
Activity buses are available every Wednesday and Thursday for students needing transportation home from an after school activity. You can view the activity bus route stops using this link.
After school activities run generally from 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM with our LCPS Transportation team citing that our two activity buses will arrive by 5:00 - 5:05 PM.
We acknowledge that on a few occasions recently that our activity buses have arrived later than the above time frame. Please know that JLS School Leadership is working closely with members of LCPS Transportation to improve activity bus arrival time to support our students themselves arriving home in a timely fashion.
Parents/families who are waiting to pick up their Mustangs from after-school activities are encouraged to park in our large staff/guest parking lot adjacent to our school in lieu of lining up in a car line format.
We also are working very closely with LCPS Transportation to improve the arrival of a few of our AM buses to Simpson so that our students are comfortably in their classrooms by the 8:30 AM tardy bell.
If you have any questions/concerns with your Mustang's LCPS transportation to JLS, please feel free to contact the LCPS Transportation team by using the LET'S TALK! option seen at the right of the page at this website. (See image below...)
We will be implementing the LCPS-sponsored Second Step® Middle School program during our resource blocks this season.
From the LCPS Department of Student Services:
We want your child to be successful in school, and that means supporting and encouraging their
whole development. While excelling in academic classes is important, students also need skills for
learning challenges, making good decisions, handling strong emotions, and getting along with others.
Second Step® Middle School is a research-based social-emotional learning
program designed to improve students’ social-emotional skills, such as emotion management,
impulse control, problem solving, and empathy. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to
help students both in and out of school. These include:
Mindsets and Goals: Students learn how to develop a growth mindset and apply research-
based goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.
Developing a Positive Sense of Self: Students learn to identify their guiding principles,
work toward becoming the person they want to be, and learn strategies for building
confidence.
Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions: Students learn how to recognize strong emotions
and unhelpful thoughts, and apply strategies to manage their emotions and reduce stress.
Managing Relationships and Social Conflict: Students learn strategies for developing
and maintaining healthy relationships, perspective-taking, and dealing with conflict.
If you have any questions about Second Step® Middle School, please don’t hesitate to contact
Sarah.McIntosh@lcps.org or Mica.Thomasson@lcps.org for more information. Thank you for your support as we work to build a safe and supportive school community!
JLS is proud to share that we have received SHINE -Spotlighting Heroes in Education submissions highlighting many of our very special teachers!
Use the link below to view the Staff SHINE submissions:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10CLr09q_G6sO-9pyjKJBGr_Hw0LGTYfo72ZUzl_EgN4/edit?usp=sharing
CONGRATULATIONS, Thank you for SHINING for our Mustangs! Simpson is lucky to have you!
If you have a staff member you would like to nominate for SHINE, please complete the submission form (It’s short and easy!).
All bus pass requests should be addressed to your grade level secretary. You can request a bus pass for your student via email, a written note with parent/guardian signature, or a phone call to your grade level secretary. Requests should be received no later than NOON on the day the pass is needed.
Whenever students have a change in dismissal transportation (ie. bus rider to walker or bus rider to car rider), please be sure to notify your house secretary the morning of the change via email or a written note.
6th Grade Administrative Professional - Molly.Steinbach@lcps.org
7th Grade Administrative Professional - Stephanie.DeWan@lcps.org
8th Grade Administrative Professional - Laura.Ridings@lcps.org
Our activity buses are rolling! Students who participate in after-school activities have the option to ride an activity bus home. Use this link below to view the route sheets for the activity buses, including the bus stop locations and approximate drop-off times.
Students are expected to use their time effectively during our five-minute class change to ensure they are in class before the bell. School administration will implement student behavior administrative and accountability measures to address excessive tardies to class.
1st and 2nd Tardies to Any Class: Teacher and Student Conversation + General E-mail to Families Through ParentVue Communications
3rd Tardy to Any Class: Teacher and Student Conversation / Reflection Opportunity to Focus on Improving Timeliness to Class + Phone Call to Parent/Guardian
4th+ Tardy to Any Class: Teacher Referral to Dean + Phone Call Home to Parent/Guardian with Student Behavior and Accountability Measures Continuum:
- Lunch / After School Detention w/Teacher / Dean
- Loss of School Privileges (i.e. Recess, Intramural Sports, Clubs/Activities, etc.)
- Friday School
- Conferencing With LCPS Attendance Officer + Family + Student Support Advisor + School Leadership / Unified Mental Health Team
Please talk with your Mustang about the importance of arriving to class on time to BE PRESENT and POWERFUL in their learning!
Remember that we are here to support all of our Mustangs if they need help to strategize ways to arrive to class in a timely manner so that they can maximize their performance in each and every one of their classes! THANK YOU for your wonderful support!
Please contact your student's grade-level counselor if you have scheduling questions.
School Counseling Team Contact Information
6th Grade: Sabrina.Jeane@lcps.org
7th Grade: Alison.Hyman@lcps.org
8th Grade: Mica.Thomasson@lcps.org
Grades 6-7-8 Combo: Ana.L.Castro@lcps.org
Please contact your student's grade-level dean if you have questions or concerns.
School Dean's Contact Information
6th Grade: Brandon.Filsinger@lcps.org
6th Grade (Interim Dean): Noah.Rogers@lcps.org
7th Grade: Jeremy.Fox@lcps.org
8th Grade: Brent.Washburn@lcps.org
HRTD is excited to launch SHINE! Spotlighting Heroes in Education, a new recognition program that aims to tell the stories of the incredible work happening throughout the division. We encourage schools to promote SHINE both inside their buildings between peers as well as with their school communities through newsletters, websites and social media as all parents, students, staff and community members are welcome to submit a nomination. Each month, Loudoun Education Foundation will choose one submission to provide additional acknowledgement and a special gift.
How it works:
We are seeking submissions for LCPS staff members at schools, central office and support locations who:
Have gone above and beyond in a situation
Have inspired others or have a heartwarming story
Are doing something unique or creative that is leading to results
In general, ANY great news!
Complete the submission form (It’s short and easy!)
The Employee Recognition office notifies the nominee as well as their supervisor of the submission
The story may be placed on the Employee Recognition webpage.
Our goal is to place a spotlight on the hundreds of positive interactions taking place in LCPS each day...and especially at JLS! We look forward to seeing your celebrations of our JLS Mustang Professionals throughout 2023-2024!
Loudoun County Public Schools is offering new resources for all staff and parents/guardians to use to support students through www.parental guidance.org. You can learn more about this initiative by clicking here.
These resources include easily accessible video-based courses on difficult parenting topics, individualized parent coaching for any LCPS parent/guardian, on their schedule in their home, and weekly interactive webinars to let parents know the mental health needs of our students are a critical concern of Loudoun County Public Schools. Your unified mental health team members are ready to assist parents in accessing the support. You can watch this video about the services available.
Slide deck with additional information: Coaching CCHC LCPS 2024.pptx
The SNAP in Schools initiative from the Virginia Department of Social Service, which is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps develop partnerships to bridge the gap of food insecurity among school-aged children. The objectives of SNAP in Schools are to reduce food insecurity in school-aged children, to increase the number of students directly certified for free school meals through SNAP, and to increase the number of students eligible without application for the summer EBT program.
Please advise families who could benefit from this program to access the CommonHelp portal link to submit online SNAP applications.
Please also share the flyer below with your families:
How do I join the Simpson Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)?
Are you trying to figure out how to stay involved during those middle school years?
There are small and big ways that really make an impact on our AMAZING school! Please reach out to Natalie Sutter at JLSimpsonPTO@gmail.com if you are interested in helping with our PTO activities in any way. You can also sign up to help by clicking here!
The PTO has many things planned for our staff and students! Check out our Volunteer Signup! A board member will reach out with more details!
- FREE Grade Level Events for each grade
- Monty's Cafe (Coming back for a 3rd year)
- Family Bingo Night w/ Silent Auction and Concessions
- Enhance our social media platforms
- Lots of Appreciation Days / Weeks for Staff
- Joint 5K with other middle schools
Click here for the Official J.L. Simpson MS PTO Webpage.
We look forward to engaging all of our Mustang families in PTO in service and support of all of our children!
If you own a small business and would like to support the PTO this year, please email JLsimpsonPTO@gmail.com for our detailed tiered sponsorship letter!
Quarter 2 - Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - Friday, January 24, 2025
Dates to Remember + More!
Be sure to check here often as we will continue to add dates and events as they become available.
2025
- January 14: Monty's Cafe - 8:00 AM - 8:25 AM
- January 14: Rising 7th Grade Electives Fair / Grades 7 + 8 Class Meetings + Virginia School Climate Survey + Semester 1 / Quarter 2 Performance Review and Reflection / Goal-Setting for Quarter 3
- January 14: PTO Spirit Night @ Roy Rogers in Leesburg - 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- January 15: Rising 8th Grade Electives Fair / Grade 6 Class Meeting + Virginia School Climate Survey + Semester 1 / Quarter 2 Performance Review and Reflection / Goal-Setting for Quarter 3 + LCHS Captain Visit to Grade 8 Advisories - Life at the High School Level Experience
- January 15: Rising 7th and 8th Curriculum and Extracurricular Fair Night - 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM
- January 16: Rising 9th Grade Students Class Scheduling with LCHS
- January 16: 6th Grade GOLD Orchestra Winter Concert - 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- January 16: 6th Grade BLUE Orchestra Winter Concert - 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- January 17: Rising 9th Grade Students Class Scheduling with LCHS
January 20: No School - Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
January 23: 6th Grade Band Winter Concert - 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
January 21: Rising 6th Graders Instrument Test Drive - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
January 24: All County Orchestra Event at Woodgrove HS
January 24: End of Quarter 2 Grading Period
January 25: All County Orchestra Event at Woodgrove HS
January 27: Student Holiday (Teacher Work Day)
January 28: Student Holiday (Teacher Work Day)
January 29: No School - Holiday (Lunar New Year)
February 5: Rising 6th Graders Instrument Test Drive - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
February 5: Rising 9th Grade Students Academic Night at LCHS - 6:00 PM
February 12: Rising 6th Grade Curriculum and Extracurricular Fair Night - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
February 17: No School - Holiday (Presidents' Day)
March 31: No School - Holiday (Eid al Fitr)
April 3: End of Quarter 3 Grading Period
April 4: Student Holiday (Teacher Work Day)
April 7: Student Holiday (Teacher Work Day)
April 14 - April 18: Spring Break Week
May 26: Holiday (Memorial Day)
June 13: Last Day of School and End of Quarter 4 Grading Period
Follow Us On Social Media!
Email: Tripp.DiNicola@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/jlsms
Location: J. Lupton Simpson Middle School, Evergreen Mills Rd, Leesburg, VA, USA
Phone: 5712522840
Instagram: @jlsimpsonms_official_ jl
